Saying goodbye to a South African great
JOBURG – Her time with the ballet company has come to an end and she's looking forward to it.
Burnise Silvius makes an emotional exit as she leaves Johannesburg’s ballet company, and moves on in life with her soon-to-be husband.
One of the ballet industry’s best is officially saying goodbye to Joburg Ballet and although she is sad to leave, she is positive she will remain part of the family while loosening up the reigns on her strict lifestyle.
Reminiscing on her beginning at the company more than 20 years ago, South Africa’s prima ballerina said, “There was very much a hierarchy; you didn’t mix with the older dancers – you didn’t even talk to them or get close to them; you’d just try and not be seen, but these days it’s a family and we all look after each other.”
Thinking about her life after La Traviata – The Ballet, her final performance with the ballet company being on 9 April, she talked about the things she’s looking forward to.
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“I try and imagine my life not being a professional dancer, but I can’t because it’s been my whole life. There’s stuff that I’ve been wanting to do that I never could do. We’ve already planned a ski trip next year, which we never could do. We’re going to do cooking classes and things that I just never had time for.
“When you go on holiday, you always have it in the back of your mind that you have to get back and stick on a leotard. You never really relax and eat what you want to eat, so it’ll be nice to go on holiday and not think of what I’m eating and stretching.”
With her wedding planned for September, she spoke about her plans excitedly.
“It’s going to be very small and we’re going to have it at home. When you get older it doesn’t have to be so grand. I would love to have babies right now. I hope that’s on the cards, but I think with the amount of strain we put [our body’s through], we have to give it a chance to relax and recover.”
Now 41 years old, the vibrant and youthful Silvius is both looking forward to and feeling anxious for her final show, La Traviata – The Ballet, which runs for 10 performances from 31 March to 9 April.
She shared her tip for staying gorgeous and energetic… two rusks in the morning.
Details: www.joburgballet.com; www.joburg
